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Sunday, 23 August 2015

Hi there and welcome to the August Bank Holiday special edition of TLFG.

As you may notice from the headline, this piece will also cover next Monday 31 August (a national holiday in England) so you can plan your whole weekend of football watching in one go.

I've been really pushed for time this week so it's pretty much just a match map from me at this stage - I will try and flesh things out a bit over the next day or two if I get the chance.

Have a good look through the map because there are over 120 fixtures in the next week or so. Apart from the big games in the Premier League and Football League there are also loads of local derbies in the local non-league competitions and also the next round of games in the FA Cup.

On Bank Holiday Monday itself, the Combined Counties League have scheduled all their games for 1130am meaning you'll be able to see at least two games that day.

Right, that's it from me for now. I might have more for you later in the week but if not, then fill your boots with the great games on offer and enjoy!

UPDATE (25/8/15): Match ticket info and a list of recommended games now updated - see below

GET INVOLVED

If you're going to see a game, whether you're a local or a visitor, please let me know what you've been up to. If you're interested in reviewing a ground within the London area for this blog then get in touch. You might also want to have a go at writing a 'Top Ten' one week. I also very much welcome photos of your football travels.

Got any questions about visiting London? Don't hesitate to ask - be they football or more general travel/touristy queries.

You can contact TLFG through the comments section below or via Facebook, Twitter or even by good old email.

LATEST TICKET NEWS

Please follow this link or click on the tab at the top of the page for all the information you need about how to get a ticket, what's currently available to non-members at London's biggest clubs and any other special offers or promotions which might be running.

THE WEEK AHEAD

There are well over 100 matches in the London area over the next seven days so there's plenty to choose from whatever your budget.

However, please make sure you check with clubs before you traveljust in case a game has been called offor venue has been changed. Also, please let me know if anything is wrong or missing.

Details on all of this week's games can be found in the following match map. If you've never used it before, please note that when there is more than one match at a specific ground you'll only be able to see individual match pins if you zoom right in. If you don't, the pins obscure each other and you might miss them. To avoid this, you can also scroll down the list of games on the left side of the map page to make sure you get all the information.

Also if you're unfamiliar with the English league structure I indicate the level at which an individual league sits in the national 'pyramid' with the Premier League at the top (Level 1) and various minor leagues at the bottom (Level 10). Typically a top level game will see crowds of anywhere between 20,000-60,000. These figures will gradually decline as you go down the leagues until you get to Levels 8-10 where attendances of 150 or less are most common.

It should also be noted that the top four levels are for fully professional teams. Level 5 has a mixture of professional and semi-professional teams, while Levels 6-10 will see most players paid but it will vary from no more than travel expenses at the bottom, right up to several hundred pounds a week at the top (e.g. clubs in the Conference South).

MATCH MAP

(UPDATED 30/08/15)
White pin - Sunday fixtures

Purple pin - Bank Holiday Monday fixtures

TLFG RECOMMENDS...

Normally I suggest a Top 10 of games to watch but this week there are so many that I'm going to list a few more by date.

Monday 24 August

Arsenal v Liverpool - two members of Premier League royalty meet at the Emirates

Aveley v Cray Wanderers - a top six clash in Isthmian League Division 1 North

Tuesday 25 August

Crystal Palace v Shrewsbury Town - cheap tickets to see Palace in the League Cup

Fulham v Sheffield United - more cheap League Cup action

QPR v Carlisle United - another cheap League Cup night out

Enfield Town v Leiston - Isthmian league leaders pay a visit to north London

Sunday, 16 August 2015

I didn't but I would very much like to have checked out the Saudi Super Cup which was played at QPR's Loftus Road on Wednesday.

As readers of last week's piece will know, the prices for this game were prohibitive with the majority selling for £45 and £75 - far too much for most casual fans wanting to see a game.

Having been working early shifts all week, I took a late afternoon nap and was actually woken by the chanting of the crowd at the game.

Despite the prices and location of the game some 3,000 miles away from teams' home city of Riyadh, the atmosphere sounded electric. Although not sold out, I saw some video footage showing a reasonably full stadium so it seems like it was a success. Al-Hilal beat Al-Nassr 1-0 in case you're interested with former Porto player Carlos Eduardo scoring.

For me, preparations are continuing for Non-League Day 2015 on 10 October which means we've got just under eight weeks to pull everything together.

This weekend's FA Cup results mean we know a load more of the teams who will have home games so I'll try and get their fixtures on the match map over the next few days.

In the meantime Lokalrunde, our sister event in Germany and Switzerland, is coming up in three weeks during their most appropriate international break.

If you're reading this in one of those or any neighbouring countries and fancy a weekend of non-league action European style then check out the event's website to see which teams are participating.

As always, enjoy your week of football watching and let me know what you've been up to.

GET INVOLVED

If you're going to see a game, whether you're a local or a visitor, please let me know what you've been up to. If you're interested in reviewing a ground within the London area for this blog then get in touch. You might also want to have a go at writing a 'Top Ten' one week. I also very much welcome photos of your football travels.

Got any questions about visiting London? Don't hesitate to ask - be they football or more general travel/touristy queries.

You can contact TLFG through the comments section below or via Facebook, Twitter or even by good old email.

LATEST TICKET NEWS

Please follow this link or click on the tab at the top of the page for all the information you need about how to get a ticket, what's currently available to non-members at London's biggest clubs and any other special offers or promotions which might be running.

THE WEEK AHEAD

There are over 100 matches in the London area over the next seven days so there's plenty to choose from whatever your budget.

However, please make sure you check with clubs before you traveljust in case a game has been called offor venue has been changed. Also, please let me know if anything is wrong or missing.

Details on all of this week's games can be found in the following match map. If you've never used it before, please note that when there is more than one match at a specific ground you'll only be able to see individual match pins if you zoom right in. If you don't, the pins obscure each other and you might miss them. To avoid this, you can also scroll down the list of games on the left side of the map page to make sure you get all the information.

Also if you're unfamiliar with the English league structure I indicate the level at which an individual league sits in the national 'pyramid' with the Premier League at the top (Level 1) and various minor leagues at the bottom (Level 10). Typically a top level game will see crowds of anywhere between 20,000-60,000. These figures will gradually decline as you go down the leagues until you get to Levels 8-10 where attendances of 150 or less are most common.

It should also be noted that the top four levels are for fully professional teams. Level 5 has a mixture of professional and semi-professional teams, while Levels 6-10 will see most players paid but it will vary from no more than travel expenses at the bottom, right up to several hundred pounds a week at the top (e.g. clubs in the Conference South).

Next up is this week's TLFG match recommendations where I list a few games which I think could be worth a watch. If I miss one that you think should get a mention then add your own in the comments section below.

TLFG TOP 10

1. West Ham United v Bournemouth - there are three Premier League games taking place in the capital this week but none of them are hugely mouthwatering. I've gone for this as it's the only one that still has tickets on general sale. After the joy of winning at Arsenal on opening weekend, the Hammers came back down to Earth with a home defeat against an impressive looking Leicester side. They have a chance to get back to winning ways on Saturday against the newly promoted Cherries who have never played in the Premier League. One of the smallest in the division, the Dorset club are among the favourites for relegation and duly lost their opening game against Aston Villa. They have a tough match against Liverpool at Anfield on Monday so if they come out of that with any points then this should be interesting. (Premier League, Saturday 22 August, 3pm. Ticket info)

2. Brentford v Birmingham City - the Bees are proving to be quite a resilient bunch so far this season. At 2-0 down and with the clock well past 90 minutes against Ipswich last week, they somehow salvaged a 2-2 draw. On Saturday they came from behind twice to beat Bristol City 4-2 at Ashton Gate. As a result they are up to third and preparing to host the Blues who have also picked up four points from their first games. Having not beaten them in six attempts, the visitors are becoming a bit of a bogey team for Brentford who are particularly bad against them at Griffin Park where they haven't defeated them since 1954. (Championship, Tuesday 18 August, 745pm. Ticket info)

3. Millwall v Barnsley - the Lions were installed as one of the favourites for promotion from League One this season and began with a good win at Shrewsbury. On Saturday they faced another contender in the form of former Premier League side Coventry. The match against the Sky Blues would, I thought, be an indicator of how good Millwall are. Sadly they missed an early penalty and then got swept aside by four goals to nil - quite a wake up call. Barnsley, another side who've seen better days, have made a similar start and are the sort of side that must be beaten if a promotion-winning campaign is to be seriously entertained. (League One, Tuesday 18 August, 745pm. Ticket info)

4. Leyton Orient v Stevenage - after suffering a turbulent year which ended in relegation, the O's have made a very positive start to life in League Two under new boss Ian Hendon. Having taken the full six points from tricky derby fixtures against Barnet and Dagenham & Redbridge in their first two league games, the East Londoners are joint top. Stevenage, now managed by former Manchester United and England star Teddy Sheringham, have made a more modest start and will begin very much as second favourites. Given the visitors' location just to the north of London this is effectively a derby too. (League Two, Tuesday 18 August, 745pm. Ticket info)

5. Boreham Wood v Forest Green Rovers - having crammed three games into their first ever week playing at national level, the Wood will probably be satisfied with the three points they have gleaned so far. One of the minnows of the National League, the Hertfordshire side were predicted to struggle but began with a solid home win over Halifax. However, narrow back-to-back defeats to Eastleigh and Gateshead at opposite ends of the country have dulled some of that early euphoria. On Tuesday they welcome early leaders Forest Green who made the play-offs last season and are hoping for at least more of the same this time. A point here would be quite an achievement for the hosts. (National League, Tuesday 18 August, 745pm. Ticket info)

6. Wealdstone v Ebbsfleet United - after finishing last season strongly, the Stones were fancied to push on and firmly establish themselves in the sixth tier. It may still happen but with three defeats from three games their start has been disappointing. Things aren't going to get any easier on Saturday when leaders Ebbsfleet, who have a 100% win record at the time of writing, roll into Grosvenor Vale. Expected to do well, they've lived up to their billing and seen off some decent sides already. The two games between the sides last season were tight with Ebbsfleet scoring the only goal in 180 minutes of football. (National League South, Saturday 22 August, 3pm. Ticket info)

7. Grays Athletic v Billericay Town - on the far eastern side of town we have an Essex derby to look forward to on Saturday. Grays just missed out on a play-off spot last season but have remained positive over the summer and begun well. Undefeated in three, they have become one of the four teams to open an early lead at the top. Also unbeaten but with more draws than wins, county rivals Billericay should provide tough opposition. Will Grays keep their place in the Gang of Four? Head to Aveley's ground which they share to find out. (Isthmian League Premier Division, Saturday 22 August, 3pm. Ticket info)

8. AFC Hornchurch v Thamesmead Town - the Urchins are new to this division after getting relegated. A Conference South side not that long ago, they are expected to bounce straight back up and have made a decent enough start with two wins from three. Thamesmead, however, have made a superb start having won all three of their games so should be very dangerous opponents. A top-eight clash from the eighth tier - this could well be worth a look if you're on the east side of London. (Isthmian League Division 1 North, Saturday 22 August, 3pm. Ticket info)

9. Wembley v Hillingdon Borough - the eagle-eyed among you may have noticed that I recommended you watch these two last week too. Well their FA Cup tie ended in a draw so they have to replay at Vale Farm on Tuesday. If you haven't begun your 'Road to Wembley' yet or are looking to continue it, then watching a game within sight of the national stadium probably isn't a bad place to spend an evening. Saturday's game finished 1-1 and with the hosts being the higher ranked side, they should start as favourites. (FA Cup Extra Preliminary Round Replay, Tuesday 18 August, 745pm. Club info)

10. Bedfont & Feltham v London Tigers - these other two West London clubs also tied 1-1 in the FA Cup on Saturday so have to do it all again on Tuesday. Bedfont play a level below the Tigers so did well to earn a draw in Greenford. B&F have one of the most unusual grounds in the country located as it is at the end of Heathrow Airport's very busy runway. If you like football and plane-spotting then this is quite possibly your idea of heaven. (FA Cup Extra Preliminary Round Replay, Tuesday 18 August, 745pm. Club info)

If you have any questions or want advice about watching football in London, you can contact TLFG using the comments section below or via Facebook, Twitter or email.

Sunday, 9 August 2015

After two-and-a-bit months of waiting (it seems no time), the new season has begun.

What an opening weekend it has been with a number of notable upsets taking place right here in the capital.

London's big two, Arsenal and Chelsea, both began at home with matches against sides they would expect to beat. Jose Mourinho's reigning league champions gave away the lead twice to draw 2-2 with Swansea while the Gunners lost 2-0 at home to West Ham - a result I really didn't see coming.

Tottenham also came unstuck at Old Trafford - no shame in that, while Watford began life back in the top flight with a useful draw at Everton. Crystal Palace netted a fine 3-1 win at Norwich as they look to record a top 10 finish this year.

In the Football League, QPR lost 2-0 in the derby at Charlton. Unsurprisingly, but ridiculously unfairly, a section of the fans are already calling for Chris Ramsey's head. Brentford scored twice in injury time steal a point off fellow promotion contenders Ipswich while Fulham drew at Cardiff.

There were also wins for Millwall and Leyton Orient in League One and League Two.

The Saudi Super Cup is coming to QPR's Loftus Road on Wednesday

Newly promoted Boreham Wood and Bromley both made their debuts in the newly renamed National League and both enjoyed fine 3-1 wins over clubs with former Football League heritage.

Isthmian League favourites Dulwich Hamlet lived up to their billing as they dispatched Canvey Island 3-0 to go top.

There were many more stories from around the leagues and if you went to a game I'd like to hear about it.

The week ahead is crammed full of action again and aside from the normal league games, we have the opening rounds of the Football League Cup and FA Cup which have thrown up some interesting ties.

We also have one of the most unusual fixtures played in the capital for sometime.

Over the last few years, grounds in London have regularly played host to international friendlies between teams who usually have either/or a large contingent of players plying their trade in England or Europe and big expat communities in the capital.

QPR's Loftus Road has been used several times and as it's on my doorstep I usually try to go. I've seen the likes of Australia v South Africa, Ghana v Denmark and South Korea v Ivory Coast. All have been good fun and the atmosphere has been lively.

On Wednesday the hallowed turf in Shepherd's Bush will see the Saudi Super Cup played upon it. The Saudi Arabian equivalent of the FA Community Shield between the league champions and cup winners has for some reason been moved from the Gulf State to W12.

I've yet to hear a reason why but I'm all for quirky fixtures like this and would under normal circumstances love to pop along.

However... the prices are staggering.

With the two main stands running along the side of the pitch 'unavailable', there are only tickets currently on sale behind the two goals. The cheapest tucked away in the wings where your view will be far from ideal are £25. All the others are £45 and £75!!!

I love Loftus Road (how can I not?) but as any regular approaching six foot will tell you, the leg room in the seats makes Ryanair's offering look first class. SEVENTY-FIVE OF THE QUEEN'S POUNDS for the Upper Loft is crazy.

If they do manage to sell them and the place is packed to the rafters then fair play to them but they'll have missed a trick if they don't and it's half empty. Good luck to them.

Rant over. Enjoy your football and please let me know what you go to watch, particularly if you make it to the Saudi Super Cup.

GET INVOLVED

If you're going to see a game, whether you're a local or a visitor, please let me know what you've been up to. If you're interested in reviewing a ground within the London area for this blog then get in touch. You might also want to have a go at writing a 'Top Ten' one week. I also very much welcome photos of your football travels.

Got any questions about visiting London? Don't hesitate to ask - be they football or more general travel/touristy queries.

You can contact TLFG through the comments section below or via Facebook, Twitter or even by good old email.

LATEST TICKET NEWS

Please follow this link or click on the tab at the top of the page for all the information you need about how to get a ticket, what's currently available to non-members at London's biggest clubs and any other special offers or promotions which might be running.

THE WEEK AHEAD

There are over 100 matches in the London area over the next seven days so there's plenty to choose from whatever your budget.

However, please make sure you check with clubs before you traveljust in case a game has been called offor venue has been changed. Also, please let me know if anything is wrong or missing.

Details on all of this week's games can be found in the following match map. If you've never used it before, please note that when there is more than one match at a specific ground you'll only be able to see individual match pins if you zoom right in. If you don't, the pins obscure each other and you might miss them. To avoid this, you can also scroll down the list of games on the left side of the map page to make sure you get all the information.

Also if you're unfamiliar with the English league structure I indicate the level at which an individual league sits in the national 'pyramid' with the Premier League at the top (Level 1) and various minor leagues at the bottom (Level 10). Typically a top level game will see crowds of anywhere between 20,000-60,000. These figures will gradually decline as you go down the leagues until you get to Levels 8-10 where attendances of 150 or less are most common.

It should also be noted that the top four levels are for fully professional teams. Level 5 has a mixture of professional and semi-professional teams, while Levels 6-10 will see most players paid but it will vary from no more than travel expenses at the bottom, right up to several hundred pounds a week at the top (e.g. clubs in the Conference South).

Next up is this week's TLFG match recommendations where I list a few games which I think could be worth a watch. If I miss one that you think should get a mention then add your own in the comments section below.

TLFG TOP 10

1. Crystal Palace v Arsenal - Alan Pardew's side got off to a flying start as they recorded a solid 3-1 win at newly promoted Norwich on opening day. Arsenal, however, suffered what must be the shock of the weekend as they lost 0-2 at home to West Ham. Personally I thought the Gunners would win with relative ease against a Hammers side which was booed at times during their brief Europa League adventure. On paper the north Londoners should win here too. Palace's record against the Gunners is poor - their last win came at Highbury over 20 years ago. However, the West Ham result and the fact that this is a very positive and united Eagles outfit could well see Arsene Wenger's charges come unstuck again. (Premier League, Sunday 16 August, 130pm. Ticket info)

2. Watford v West Bromwich Albion - perhaps not the most mouthwatering offer of the day at first glance but it's the Hornets' first home game back in the top flight after eight years away. The atmosphere should be special and in West Brom they face beatable opponents. Much has changed at Watford over the summer on and off the pitch and they acquitted themselves well at Everton on Saturday, forcing a 2-2 draw. It will be hard to know how good the Baggies are until they play Manchester City on Monday but they are unbeaten in six against Hertfordshire's top club and should provide a good test for the hosts. (Premier League, Saturday 15 August, 3pm. Ticket info)

3. Saudi Super Cup - one of the most unusual fixtures to have been played in London for a while is taking place at QPR's Loftus Road on Wednesday. The Saudi Arabian version of the FA Community Shield pits league champions Al Nassr against cup winners Al Hilal. I have to confess to knowing very little about either but both hail from the capital Riyadh so if nothing else it's a derby. How many fans of either side make it to London will be interesting to see but only seats behind each goal are currently still available. One point to note - legendary Colombian scorpion kicker and all round eccentric Rene Higuita is goalkeeping coach for Al Nassr so hopefully he'll put in an appearance of some sort. (Saudi Super Cup, Wednesday 12 August, 7pm. Ticket info)

4. Fulham v Brighton & Hove Albion - any game against London opposition, particularly ones from the south and west of the city, pretty much count as derbies for Brighton. The seaside town around 50 miles south of the capital is often referred to as 'London-By-The-Sea' because of its proximity and popularity with its denizens. Consequently a large away following should make their way to Craven Cottage, particularly given their positive start to the season. Fulham managed a decent draw at Cardiff on Saturday so should manage to take at least a point from what is historically a pretty even contest. The Cottagers are also holding a Fans' Day in Bishop's Park next to the ground before the game if you want some extra entertainment. (Championship, Saturday 15 August, 3pm. Ticket info)

5. Millwall v Coventry City - both these former top-flight sides are expected to push for at least a play-off spot this season and both got off to good starts on Saturday with wins in their opening fixtures. Coventry are too big for this division but financial problems in recent years have seen them suffer. However, things seem to be getting back on track and they have now returned from exile in Northampton to play at the Ricoh Arena again. The Lions, let us not forget, came flying out of the traps last season and became early leaders in the Championship but it all fell apart and they got relegated. There seems to be a more positive vibe around the camp at the moment with former playing legend Neil Harris now in charge and this will be a good test of their credentials. (League One, Saturday 15 August, 3pm. Ticket info)

6. Dagenham & Redbridge v Leyton Orient - the O's began life back in the fourth tier with a tidy 2-0 win over fellow Londoners Barnet on Saturday. Next up in the league they face another derby against a side, like them, from the east of town and hence it's probably the derby for these two this season. Given the Daggers have only been around for a little over 20 years, there have only been 11 previous meetings but the record is totally even with four wins apiece and three draws. Orient have been more dominant of late though, are unbeaten in five and should win here. The Daggers suffered a 3-0 reverse at Portsmouth in their opening game and are expected to struggle. (League Two, Saturday 15 August, 3pm. Ticket info)

7. Hendon v Dulwich Hamlet - after losing in last season's play-off final, the Greens were installed as one the favourites to win the Isthmian League title this time round. However, with opening matches against fellow contenders Grays, Enfield and Dulwich, the fixture gods couldn't have been much less helpful. Having taken a point from their trip to Essex on Saturday, they have to negotiate the derby against Enfield before the current favourites pay a visit to Earlsmead. Dulwich, if you're new to the non-league scene, are a club on the rise. Another side to come unstuck in last season's play-offs, the south London club have seen their support base come close to trebling over the last two or three years as an attractive and largely successful team has pulled in the punters. Regularly attracting crowds of over 1,000, no mean feat for a team in the seventh tier, they began their 2015/16 campaign with a comfortable 3-0 win over Canvey Island to immediately go top. (Isthmian League Premier Division, Saturday 15 August, 3pm. Ticket info)

8. Tooting & Mitcham United v Corinthian Casuals - the rise of Dulwich has been particularly painful for Tooting fans who view them as their biggest rivals. Former regulars in the Isthmian Premier, they're currently in the division below and will hope to get back into the top flight as soon as possible. They got off to a good start with a win at East Grinstead and next welcome near neighbours CCs for a derby at the well appointed Imperial Fields. Corinthian Casuals started well last season but fell away into midtable by the end, however, the bookies suggest a play-off place could be theirs this year. They saw off a well-fancied Worthing side in their first fixture so will start as slight favourites for me. (Isthmian League Division 1 South, Tuesday 11 August, 3pm. Ticket info)

9. Croydon v Sutton Common Rovers - this season's 'Road to Wembley' begins on Saturday with the playing of the FA Cup Extra Preliminary Round. A total of 736 teams from around the country will take part at some point with the first 368 of them doing battle this weekend. There are quite a few ties in the London area so it's been hard to pick which two to feature but I've firstly gone for this one as it's a derby. With only Carshalton between them, Croydon and Sutton almost run into each other in London's Deep South. Both playing in the ninth tier and recently in the same league, these two began with league defeats so will look to get their seasons back on track with a win and a useful bit of prize money. (FA Cup Extra Preliminary Round, Saturday 15 August, 3pm. Club info)

10. Hillingdon Borough v Wembley - what better way to start your 'Road to Wembley' than by watching the club of the same name? Unsurprisingly they don't play at the legendary stadium but you get a good view of it from their pitch. On Saturday they travel six miles west to the Middlesex Stadium to play Hillingdon who were one of the best non-league sides in the country back in the 1960s and '70s. They even made it to Wembley for the FA Trophy Final back in 1971. Currently down in the tenth tier after relegation last season, they'll start as underdogs. (Saturday 15 August, 3pm. Club info)

If you have any questions or want advice about watching football in London, you can contact TLFG using the comments section below or via Facebook, Twitter or email.

Monday, 3 August 2015

I can't believe it's that time again already and for the first time in what seems like years, all the leagues are getting under way on the same day (bar the odd Friday night appetiser).

London clubs are expected to do well again at national level with Chelsea and Arsenal set to challenge for the Premier League. Brentford, Fulham and QPR in with a chance in the Championship and Millwall and Leyton Orient fancied to do well in League One and League Two.

Boreham Wood and Bromley are both making their debuts in the fifth tier so it will be interesting to see how they get on against the likes of Grimsby Town and Tranmere Rovers.

At the other end, a number of new sides have moved up to the tenth tier so if you're a hardened groundhopper there could well be some new grounds for you to tick off.

Atalanta defend a QPR corner in front of their very vocal supporters

So how was your week? I managed to finally catch a game by visiting Loftus Road for QPR's friendly against Serie A side Atalanta.

It was a reasonably competitive affair with the visitors taking an early lead when Jasmin Kurtic crashed a superb volley past Rob Green before new signing Jay Emmanuel-Thomas equalised with a deflected shot midway through the second half.

The highlight of proceedings, however, were the Atalanta supporters. There were only a few hundred but the noise they generated throughout with their highly co-ordinated routines impressed many of the Rangers faithful. I have no idea what they were singing about but everything passed off smoothly enough.

Over the last few years I've taken a few of my friends' kids to watch QPR in an effort to put them on the right track but all, after a promising start, have drifted away into the clutches of clubs like Manchester City and Arsenal as trophy wins and peer pressure have worked their magic over them.

However, I believe I'm onto a winner with my latest protege who has flags and other merchandise adorning his room at home. His sister made a her debut at yesterday's game too so hopefully she'll be a member of the QPR family soon as well.

GET INVOLVED

If you're going to see a game, whether you're a local or a visitor, please let me know what you've been up to. If you're interested in reviewing a ground within the London area for this blog then get in touch. You might also want to have a go at writing a 'Top Ten' one week. I also very much welcome photos of your football travels.

Got any questions about visiting London? Don't hesitate to ask - be they football or more general travel/touristy queries.

You can contact TLFG through the comments section below or via Facebook, Twitter or even by good old email.

LATEST TICKET NEWS

Please follow this link or click on the tab at the top of the page for all the information you need about how to get a ticket, what's currently available to non-members at London's biggest clubs and any other special offers or promotions which might be running.

THE WEEK AHEAD

There are over 90 matches in the London area over the next seven days so there's plenty to choose from whatever your budget.

However, please make sure you check with clubs before you traveljust in case a game has been called offor venue has been changed. Also, please let me know if anything is wrong or missing.

Details on all of this week's games can be found in the following match map. If you've never used it before, please note that when there is more than one match at a specific ground you'll only be able to see individual match pins if you zoom right in. If you don't, the pins obscure each other and you might miss them. To avoid this, you can also scroll down the list of games on the left side of the map page to make sure you get all the information.

Also if you're unfamiliar with the English league structure I indicate the level at which an individual league sits in the national 'pyramid' with the Premier League at the top (Level 1) and various minor leagues at the bottom (Level 10). Typically a top level game will see crowds of anywhere between 20,000-60,000. These figures will gradually decline as you go down the leagues until you get to Levels 8-10 where attendances of 150 or less are most common.

It should also be noted that the top four levels are for fully professional teams. Level 5 has a mixture of professional and semi-professional teams, while Levels 6-10 will see most players paid but it will vary from no more than travel expenses at the bottom, right up to several hundred pounds a week at the top (e.g. clubs in the Conference South).

Next up is this week's TLFG match recommendations where I list a few games which I think could be worth a watch. If I miss one that you think should get a mention then add your own in the comments section below.

TLFG TOP 10

1. Arsenal v West Ham United - the Gunners completed a successful pre-season with a 1-0 FA Community Shield triumph over Chelsea on Sunday. It was their first win over the Blues in eight attempts and should put them in a very positive frame of mind ahead of this weekend's season opener against the Hammers. Whether they mount a serious title challenge this year remains to be seen and with the bookies seeing them finishing third again, it could be all about the cups. West Ham have been playing competitive fixtures for a month already thanks to their participation in the Europa League. Despite playing unheralded opposition and fielding slightly less than full strength teams themselves, they've made heavy weather of it and have been far from convincing. When you also consider the east London club have lost their last 10 against Arsene Wenger's team, it's hard to envisage that run being anything but extended. (Premier League, Sunday 9 August, 130pm. Ticket info)

2. Chelsea v Swansea City - the reigning Premier League champions begin their title defence at home to Welsh club Swansea and most would see this as a comfortable home win. Despite Garry Monk putting together a decent side who finished eighth last season, they struggled against the Blues losing both league games and conceding nine goals in the process. The Swans also have to go back all the way to 1981 to find a record of their last league win over the Stamford Bridge outfit. Don't completely write them off though, last season they opened with a very unexpected win over Manchester United at Old Trafford so Jose Mourinho won't take them lightly. Tickets for Chelsea games are hard to get hold of for non-members but if you want to go to this, at the time of writing, tickets are on general sale in the away supporters section of the ground so contact Swansea as soon as possible. (Premier League, Saturday 8 August, 530pm. Ticket info)

3. Charlton Athletic v Queens Park Rangers - Chris Ramsey's side begin life back in the Championship with a London derby against the Addicks. QPR are expected to challenge for a play-off spot but Charlton are seen by many to be certs for relegation. Only time will tell but with only two wins from seven pre-season games, things aren't looking great for Guy Luzon's side. I had a look at Rangers in their game against Atalanta on Sunday and find it hard to see them getting more than a play-off place so with it being a derby and the opening day, it should be pretty even. QPR also have a poor record at The Valley so anything's possible. (Championship, Saturday 8 August, 3pm. Ticket info)

4. Leyton Orient v Barnet - this time last year, a derby like this was probably not on the near horizon for fans of either side. The O's had been a penalty shoot-out away from a place in the Championship while the Bees had missed a place in the Conference play-offs by a comfortable margin. Twelve months on they're together after seasons of massively contrasting fortunes - the O's got relegated after going through several managers and Barnet went up after winning the title. With former Bees player and manager Ian Hendon taking the reigns at Brisbane Road over the summer, this game will have that little bit more to it than usual. The hosts will start as firm favourites but a Martin Allen inspired Barnet should be well up for it. (League Two, Saturday 8 August, 3pm. Ticket info)

5. Bromley v Wrexham - the Ravens won the Conference South last season and make their long-awaited debut in non-league's top flight on Saturday. They begin with a mouthwatering clash against Welsh club Wrexham one the biggest clubs at this level. A League One club until as recently as 2005, the Dragons have become one of several clubs whose finances have dragged them down the pyramid. The last few years have seen them make the play-off and FA Trophy finals and they have been installed as one of the promotion favourites again. Bromley are a club with real potential and consolidation at this level will be the priority so a point from this game at a busy Hayes Lane should be celebrated. (National League, Saturday 8 August, 3pm. Club info)

6. Sutton United v Maidstone United - this National League South match between two of the bigger clubs in the division really wets my appetite. Sutton have been promotion contenders on an almost yearly basis so it was a bit a surprise to see them struggle to fifteenth last season. Despite this, they've kept faith with boss Paul Doswell and they're fancied to challenge again. Maidstone clinched the Isthmian League title last year to continue the long climb back towards the Football League place the Kent town lost in 1992 when the previous club of the same name went bust. Still with a large following (they averaged crowds of over 1,800 last season) and a fine modern stadium, it can't be too long before they push on again. One other point of note - this will be Sutton's first competitive game on their new 3G pitch. (National League South, Saturday 8 August, 3pm. Ticket info)

7. Grays Athletic v Hendon - it's quite hard to predict who's going to do what when you get to this level but the bookmakers are under the impression that these two will challenge. Hendon came close last season, losing to Margate in the play-off final, but their supporter base is still relatively small as they head into the final year of their groundshare at Harrow Borough and finances are said to be tight. Grays are in a similar position to Hendon in that they are currently without a ground of their own and although they didn't make the play-offs, they only missed them by a point. Don't expect a massive turnout for this (200-250) but do expect a closely fought game. (Isthmian League Premier Division, Saturday 8 August, 3pm. Ticket info)

8. AFC Hornchurch v Cray Wanderers - elsewhere in Essex in the division below, we have what many of the tipsters see as potential top-two clash. The Urchins have had a rollercoaster last four seasons that have seen one play-off final win, one defeat and two relegations. So in just over two years they've gone from the Conference South to Isthmian Division 1 North, a fall not many had foreseen. As mentioned, the bookmakers see it being another eventful season for them as they challenge to get back up. Cray, the capital's oldest club, a mainstay of the Isthmian Premier for several years, found themselves destined for life in the Southern Counties East League until a fine rally at the end of 2014/15 saw them stave off relegation. With ambitious former VCD Athletic boss Tony Russell appointed over the summer, the Wanderers are expected to do well. (Isthmian League Division 1 North, Saturday 8 August, 3pm. Ticket info)

9. Barking v Ilford - the opening day fixtures in the Essex Senior League have thrown up a local derby between these two East End clubs. Playing just over a mile apart, there's not much between them in terms of distance. Although Haringey Borough romped to the title last season, Barking finished a very creditable third and will hope to push on this time. Ilford were an Isthmian League side until recently but were well off the pace last season and I've heard nothing to suggest things will be different this time round. A derby's a derby though so either could win. (Essex Senior League, Saturday 8 August, 3pm. Ticket info)

10. FC Elmstead v Orpington - several new clubs have moved up to Step 6/Level 10 this season and one of them are FC Elmstead who have joined the Kent Invicta League. The Chislehurst club have been selected to kick-off the KIL season with this Friday night fixture against Orpington under lights at Holmesdale's ground near Bromley. Free on Friday night? Then pop down to Oakley Road to see what they're capable of. (Friday 7 August, 745pm. Club info)

If you have any questions or want advice about watching football in London, you can contact TLFG using the comments section below or via Facebook, Twitter or email.

About Me

I'm a QPR fan and follower of Harrow Borough in the Isthmian League.
In 2010 I set up Non-League Day to help promote semi-professional and grassroots football. I'm hoping that TLFG will help provide a similar boost for football clubs around the capital.
I also worked at BBC Sport for 10 years before it relocated to Salford but decided not to go, such was my love of London.